Kimberley Town Council has cancelled its Christmas market for 2026 after a 14-year run, citing rising costs and a shortage of new volunteers. The festive event in Kimberley, Nottingham, was no longer financially viable, according to the council.
The decision was announced in a Facebook post by Kimberley Town Council, which described it as an "incredibly difficult" choice. The council explained that rising costs came "as a direct result of event management requirements set forth by higher authorities than Kimberley Town Council," and that the lack of new volunteers puts "a huge strain" on the team.
Event history and vendor decline
The Christmas market has been running since 2012, first hosted by a local couple before being handed over to the council. The council also noted a decline in the number of vendors and stall holders, making it difficult to remain fair to both traders and visitors.
The statement continued: "It is incredibly sad to have to cancel any event we host in Kimberley as we know they are a great boost to local businesses and well loved by stall holders, residents and visitors. However we also have to balance that with financial viability of the event itself."
Focus shifts to Christmas Lights Switch
The council says it is "focusing on" another Christmas event in the local area. The Christmas Lights Switch will be held on November 27, which the council described as "another huge success." It added that it is working to enhance the event's offering.
"We understand that this will be a disappointment to many and for that we apologise," Kimberley Town Council said.
Local reaction and future plans
Locals expressed their disappointment at the news, with some suggesting that the council make the Christmas Lights Switch a bigger event. One person wrote: "Could you not put the Christmas market on at the same time as the switch on? Just make it a bigger event or have the market during the day and the switch on at night. It’s a shame for local traders/people who attend to have it cancelled."
A second commented: "Such a shame, the Christmas market brings the community together. We had a fab time being part of it last year." The council thanked the local community and said it is working to ensure that the Christmas market returns next year.
